attic

¹

[ at-ik ]

noun

1. the part of a building, especially of a house, directly under a roof; garret.
2. a room or rooms in an attic.
3. a low story or decorative wall above an entablature or the main cornice of a building.
4. Anatomy. the upper part of the tympanic cavity of the ear.

Attic

²

[ at-ik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Greece or of Athens.
2. (often lowercase) displaying simple elegance, incisive intelligence, and delicate wit.

noun

1. the dialect of ancient Attica that became the standard language of Classical Greek literature in the 5th and 4th centuries b.c.

attic

¹

/ ˈætɪk /

noun

1. a space or room within the roof of a house
2. architect a storey or low wall above the cornice of a classical façade

Attic

²

/ ˈætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Attica, its inhabitants, or the dialect of Greek spoken there, esp in classical times
2. often not capital classically elegant, simple, or pure

   an Attic style

noun

1. the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken and written in Athens: the chief literary dialect of classical Greek See also Aeolic Arcadic Doric Ionic

Other Words From

• non-Attic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of attic¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; special use of Attic

Origin of attic²

1555–65; < Latin Atticus < Greek Attikós

Word History and Origins

Origin of attic¹

C18: special use of Attic from the use of Attic-style pilasters to adorn the façade of the top storey

Example Sentences

Spray foam insulation has been used to stop heat escaping from roofs, lofts and attics for decades and comes in two forms.

From BBC

The track is alive with phantom creaks and a chilling atmosphere; it sounds like it was recorded in the attic of a haunted house.

From New York Times

After her mum returned later, Lindsay's parents went to bed assuming their daughter had come home and gone straight up to her attic room.

From BBC

Prosecutor Olivier Glady said the scene "hints at suicide", with a rope found still hanging in the attic when the body was discovered on 2 November.

From BBC

From a darkened corridor we climb a narrow, twisting flight of stairs to the attic.

From BBC